Method of connecting raceways with or without a fitting base

ABSTRACT

A method of connecting two raceways, comprising the steps of joining respective ends of first and second raceways at a first junction area so that the ends of the first and second raceways engage and form a miter joint at the first junction area, coupling a first cover fitting over the first junction area so that a portion of the first cover fitting engages each end, respectively, of the first and second raceways, joining respective ends of third and fourth raceways at a second junction area so that the ends of the third and fourth raceways are spaced from one another at the second junction area with a curved base disposed therebetween, and coupling a second cover fitting over the second junction area so that a portion of the second cover fitting engages each end of the third and fourth raceways, respectively.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/784,333 filed on Feb. 16, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,344,611, is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/512,674 filed onMarch 8, 2000, now abandoned, the subject matter of each of which isherewith incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to wire delivery systems, such as araceway, and fittings used for connecting more than one raceway. Inparticular, the fittings are formed of various elbows and tees to allowthe wire delivery system to easily manage corners of a room.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wire delivery systems, such as raceways, are employed to hold and managewires, such as voice, data, and power wiring. Specifically, the racewayis mounted to a supporting surface, such as a wall or ceiling, and theraceway distributes the wires carried therein throughout a room.Fittings, such as interior and exterior elbows and tees, are used toconnect more than one raceway, especially when negotiating corners ofthe room. This provides efficient delivery and management of the wiringthroughout a room while hiding the unattractive wires.

Particular types of wiring fiber optic or category 5 cable, can requirecertain bend radii when the direction of the wiring changes, such as ata corner of a room. As a result, it is necessary to make and use specialfittings that add a curved base having the appropriate bend radius toavoid damage to the wires or cables. Commonly, one type of racewayfitting is used for wire or cable needing a specific bend radius whileanother is used when the wire or cable does not need a specific bendradius. This type of situation increases costs and is inefficient.

Examples of prior art fittings are disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No.:6,002,089 to Hemingway et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,753,855 to Nicoli et al.;U.S. Pat. No. 5,390,968 to Favalora; U.S. Pat. No. 5,469,893 to Caveneyet al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,929,380 Carlson, Jr. et al.; U.S. Pat. No.5,161,580 to Klug; U.S. Pat. No. 4,951,716 to Tsunoda et al.; and U.S.Pat. No. D413,306 to Scherer et al. and U.K. Patent No. 1,493,410.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide an improvedraceway fitting that is cost effective and efficient to use.

Another object of the present invention is provide a raceway fittingthat can be employed in applications needing a curved base orapplications not requiring a curved base.

Yet another object of the present invention is provide a raceway fittingthat can be used with a mitered connection between raceways or with acurved adapter.

The foregoing primary object is basically attained by a cover fittingfor a raceway, comprising a top having inner and outer surfaces andfirst and second curved walls extending along the inner surface forminga first segment of a first groove for receiving a first partition of araceway base fitting covered by the cover fitting. The top furtherincludes a plurality of securing members extending outwardly from itsinner surface for engaging a portion of a raceway base. The coverfitting also has a first side extending outwardly from the inner surfaceand a second side extending outwardly from the inner surface remote fromthe first side.

The foregoing primary object is also attained by a method of connectingtwo substantially identical cover fittings to a raceway wherein said twosubstantially identical cover fittings include first and second coverfittings, each of the first and second cover fittings have a top andopposing first and second sides. The method comprises the steps ofplacing the first cover fitting over a junction point of two racewaybases, the junction point being a miter joint and placing the secondcover fitting over a curved base fitting coupled between two racewaybases.

One benefit of the invention is that by designing the cover fitting inthis fashion, it can be employed either with a base for accommodatingwiring such as category 5 which mat require a specific bend radius, orwithout a base for wiring not requiring a specific bend radius.Therefore, the need for two separate cover fittings for each applicationis eliminated reducing manufacturing costs and increasing efficiency inemploying a raceway delivery system.

Other objects, advantages and salient features of the invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description, which taken inconjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses preferred embodimentsof the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings which form a part of this disclosure

FIG. 1 is a top side perspective view of a raceway fitting according toa first embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the fittingassembled on two mitered raceways;

FIG. 2 is a top side perspective view of the raceway fitting illustratedin FIG. 1, but showing the fitting assembled with two non-miteredraceways with a raceway base located between the raceways and under thefitting;

FIG. 3 is an exploded, front, side perspective view of raceway fittingin FIG. 1, showing the fitting being connected to two mitered raceways;

FIG. 4 is an exploded, front, side perspective view of raceway fittingin FIG. 2, showing the fitting being connected to two raceways with abase therebetween;

FIG. 5 is an exploded, front, side perspective view of the racewayfitting in FIG. 1, showing the fitting being assembled with a curvedbase;

FIG. 6 is a rear, side perspective view of the raceway fittingillustrated in FIG. 1, showing grooves and guide ribs employed incategory 5 and non-category 5 applications;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 7—7 in FIG.1, showing the fitting engaged with a raceway;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 8—8 in FIG.2, showing the fitting engaged with a raceway with a base disposedtherebetween;

FIG. 9 is an exploded, front, top perspective view of a raceway fittingaccording to a second embodiment of the invention, illustrating thefitting being connected to two mitered raceways;

FIG. 10 is an exploded, front, top perspective view of the racewayfitting illustrated in FIG. 9, showing the fitting being connected totwo non-mitered raceways with a base therebetween;

FIG. 11 is an exploded, front, top perspective view of the racewayfitting in FIG. 9, showing the fitting with a curved base;

FIG. 12 is an exploded, front, top perspective view of a raceway fittingaccording to a third embodiment of the invention, illustrating thefitting being connected to two mitered raceways;

FIG. 13 is an exploded, front, top perspective view of the racewayfitting illustrated in FIG. 12, showing the fitting being connected totwo non-mitered raceways with a base therebetween; and

FIG. 14 is an exploded, front, top perspective view of the racewayfitting in FIG. 12, showing the fitting with a curved base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A wire delivery system comprises raceways 10 that hold wiring and acover fitting 12, according to the present invention, connecting the tworaceways 10, as seen in FIGS. 1-8. A base fitting 14, can alternativelybe used with cover fitting 12 in applications, such as category 5applications or fiber optic cables, that require a certain bend radiusto prevent damage to the wiring.

In particular, FIGS. 1 and 3 show cover fitting 12 connecting twomitered raceways 10 with their respective ends abutting one anotherforming a miter joint. Such an arrangement is employed when deliveringpower and/or voice wiring which do not require a certain bend radiuswhen a change in direction occurs, such as non-category 5 applications.FIGS. 2 and 4 show cover fitting 12 alternatively being used to connecttwo non-mitered raceways 10 with their respective ends being spaced fromone another with a curved base fitting disposed therebetween and undercover fitting 12. Base fitting 14 provides a specific bend radius, forexample, the appropriate bend radius for category 5 wiring. Although theassemblies shown FIGS. 1 and 2 are the same, sectional views in FIGS. 7and 8 clearly show the distinctions between the two figures, as will bediscussed in detail below.

Raceway 10 is generally a plastic, elongated member that holds wiring tobe delivered throughout a room, such as an office, protecting and hidingthe unattractive wiring from view. Raceway 10 includes a raceway base 16mounted to a surface by fasteners 17 (see FIG. 3) with a raceway cover18 attached thereto, forming an enclosure for holding the wiring.Specifically, raceway base 16 includes a bottom wall 20 and opposingsidewalls 22 extending perpendicularly from bottom wall 20 with eachsidewall 22 having an inward lip 24 for engaging raceway cover 18, asseen in FIGS. 1 and 2. First an second dividing walls 26 also extendfrom bottom wall 20 equal distant from each side all 22, respectively,forming three channels, two outer channels 30 and a middle chanel 22,each having substantially the same dimensions. The multi-channels allowraceway 10 to carry any combination of wiring, such as voice, data orpower wiring. Each outer channel 30 each includes a track 34 that bothconnects to base fitting 14 and provides a guide for extending fastener17 through raceway 10 when mounting raceway 10.

Raceway cover 18 is connected to raceway base 16 by mounting racewaycover 18 on support members 28 disposed on the distal ends of dividingwalls 26 of raceway base 16. In particular, raceway cover 18 includesupper and lower surfaces 36 and 38 with hooks 40 extending downwardlyfrom lower surface 38 proximate each side of raceway cover 18. Hooks 40correspond to and engage lips 24 of sidewalls 22 forming a separableconnection with raceway base 16. Raceway cover 18 also includes covertracks 42 that extend along lower surface 38 that correspond to andreceive support members 28 of dividing walls 26, as best seen in FIGS. 7and 8.

Referring to FIGS. 1-8, a flat elbow or cover fitting 12, according tothe first embodiment of the present invention, includes a top 50 andfirst and second opposing sides 52 and 54 extending from and beingsubstantially perpendicular with cover fitting 12. In particular, top 50has two sections 56 connected at joint 59 having inner and outersurfaces 62 and 64 forming a substantial L-shape with first side 52extending from the inner portion of the L and opposing second sideextending along the outer portion of the L. Each section 56 furtherincludes a central bend 60 that matches a bend 44 formed in racewaycover 18 allowing first and second ends 57 and 58 of each section 56,respectively, to accommodate raceway 10. A pair of hooks or securingmembers 66 extend from inner surface 62 and are disposed proximate firstand second sides 52 and 54 at first and second ends 57 and 58 forengaging raceway 10, as best seen in FIG. 6.

Cover fitting 12 also includes first and second curved walls 68 and 70extending along inner surface 62 between ends 57 and 58 proximate firstside 52, forming a first segment 72 of a first groove 74, as best seenin FIG. 6. A first guide rib 76 also extends along inner surface 62 fromend 57 to joint 59 forming a second segment 78 of first groove 74.Likewise, a second guide rib 80 extends along inner surface 62 fromsecond end 58 to joint 59 abutting the end of first guide rib 76 andforming a third segment 82 of first groove 74.

Similarly, third and fourth curved walls 84 and 86 also extend longinner surface 62 between ends 57 and 58 and spaced from first and secondwalls 68 and 70, forming a first segment 88 of a second groove 90. Alsoa third guide rib 92 extends from second end 58 to joint 59 forming asecond segment 94 of second groove. Likewise, a fourth guide rib 96extends from first end 57 to joint 59 abutting third rib 92, forming athird segment 98 of second groove 90.

First and second grooves 74 and 90 define three curved channel sectionsalong inner surface 62, as shown in FIG. 6. In particular, a first outerchannel section 100 is defined between first side 52 and first curvedwall 68 of first groove 74. A second outer channel section 102 isdefined between second side 54 and fourth curved wall 86 of secondgroove 90. A third middle channel section 104 is defined between secondcurved wall 70 of first groove 74 and third curved wall 84 of secondgroove 90.

First and second grooves 74 and 90 of cover fitting 12 are curved toaccommodate the curvature of base fitting 14 with first, second, andthird channel sections 100, 102, and 104 corresponding to channelsections of base fitting 14, as described below. When base fitting 14 isnot employed, first, second, third, and fourth guide ribs 76, 80, 92, 96define first, second, third guide channels sections 112, 114, and 116 toguide and separate the wires extending from each raceway 10.Specifically, first guide channel section 112 is defined between firstside 52 and first and second guide ribs 76 and 80. Second guide channelsection 114 is defined between second side 54 and third and fourth guideribs 92 and 96. Third guide channel section 116 is defined between firstand second guide channel sections 112 and 114.

Preferably, inner surface 62 of top 50 also includes a strengthening rib106 extending along joint 59 with a centrally disposed moldingdepression 108 and support ribs 110 extending from first and secondsides 52 and 54 proximate each end 57 and 58. However, strengthening rib106 and support ribs 110 are not necessary in employing cover fitting12. In addition, it is preferable that cover fitting 12 be formed of aunitary one-piece member, but top 50, sections 56, and first and secondsides 52 and 54 can be separably made and integrally attached by anyknown attachment. In addition, it is also preferable that cover fitting12 be formed of the same material as raceway 10, but these can be formedof any material, including any plastic material.

Referring to FIGS. 4-6, base fitting 14 includes a curve bottom 120 withcurved first, second, third, and fourth partitions 122, 124, 126, and128, extending substantially perpendicularly from bottom 1 20 with eachsubsequent partition, from first to fourth, being longer. The partitionsform three channel sections which correspond to the channels of raceway10 and the channel sections of cover fitting 12. Specifically, a firstbase outer channel section 130 is formed between first partition 122 andsecond partition 124. A second outer base channel section 132 is formedbetween third and fourth partitions 126 and 128, and a third inner basechannel section 133 is formed between first and second outer basechannel sections 130 and 132. First and second base channel sections 130and 132 each further include a track 134 extending therethrough alonginner surface 62, which corresponds to tracks 34 of first and secondouter channels 30 of raceway 10, respectively. In addition, a tab 136extends from each end of each track 134 for engaging tracks 34 ofraceway 10 connecting base fitting 14 with raceway 10. The curvature ofbottom 120 and partitions 122, 124, 126, and 128 are determined by therequired bend radius needed for category 5 wiring when a change ofdirection occurs, such as when rounding a corner.

Referring to FIGS. 1-8, cover fitting 12 can be employed by itself toconnect two mitered raceways 10 as in non-category 5 applications, forholding wires 27 that do not require a certain bend radius, as best seenin FIG. 3. Alternatively, cover fitting 12 can be employed with basefitting 14 as in category 5 applications, for holding wires 29 that dorequire a certain bend radius, as best seen in FIG. 4. In bothinstances, cover fitting 12 directly engages each raceway 10.

In applications such as non-category 5 applications, the two raceways 10are mitered and their ends abut one another forming a right angle or L,as seen in FIG. 3. Cover fitting 12 connects the two raceways 10 by snapfitting cover fitting 12 over each raceway base 16 by releasablyengaging hooks 66 with lips 24 of each raceway base fitting 16, as seenin FIG. 7, such that one of the raceways extends through first end 57 ofcover fitting 12 and the other raceway extends through second end 58.Each hook 66 has a stop member 61 that abuts the top of lip 24restricting the movement of raceway 10 with respect to cover fitting 12;Although it is preferable to employ a snap fit, any known type ofattachment means can be used to engage the cover fitting 12 with eachraceway 10.

Prior to this engagement, a portion of raceway cover 18 must be cut awayto allow access to lip 24 such that only the very end of cover fitting12 covers raceway cover 18. The rest of cover fitting 12 covers theraceway base 16 of each raceway 10 leaving a small space between supportmembers 28 and top 50 with first and second sides 52 and 54 overlappingeach sidewall 22 of each raceway 10, respectively. First and secondouter guide channels sections 112 and 114 defined along inner surface 62of cover fitting 12 correspond to first and second outer racewaychannels 30 of each raceway 10. Similarly, third inner guide channelsection 116 corresponds to middle raceway channel 32. The guide channelsections of cover fitting 12 operate to guide and maintain separate thewires 27 held within their respective raceway channels when extendedthrough the fitting. Although only one wire 27 is shown per guidechannel section 112, 114, and 116 of cover fitting 12, any number ofwires can be held within each guide channel section 112, 114, 116, oreach channel can be filled to capacity with wires.

In applications such as category-5 applications, the two raceways 10 arecut at a straight angle at their ends 31, rather than mitered, and arespaced from one another such that only a portion of each respectiveraceway 10 extends into cover fitting 12, as best seen in FIG. 4. Coverfitting 12 connects the two raceways 10 in the same manner as describedabove for applications such as non-category 5 applications after aportion of each raceway cover 18 has been removed. However, when dealingwith category 5-type wiring, base fitting 14 must be employed to preventdamage to the wiring. In particular, base fitting 14 is disposed betweenthe ends of each raceway 10 with tabs 136 being received in tracks 34 ofeach raceway base 16, connecting base fitting 14 to each raceway 10.

In addition, as seen in FIG. 8, cover fitting 12 covers base fitting 14such that second and third partitions 124 and 126 are received in firstand second grooves 74 and 90, respectively, and first and second sides52 and 54 overlap both sidewalls 22 of each raceway 10 and first andfourth partitions 122 and 128 of base fitting 14, restricting themovement of base fitting 14 with respect to cover fitting 12. First andsecond base channel sections 130 and 132 correspond to first and secondouter channel sections 100 and 102 of cover fitting 12 and middle basechannel section 133 corresponds to middle channel section 104. Thechannel sections of cover fitting 12 and base fitting 14 form threechannels which correspond to the raceway channels of each raceway 10keeping the wires 29 of each raceway channel separate as they extendthrough cover fitting 12 and base fitting 14. Although only one wire 29is shown per channel, any number of wires can be held within eachchannel, or each channel can be filled to capacity with wires.

Referring to FIGS. 9-11, an internal elbow or cover fitting 138,according to a second embodiment of the present invention, includes atop 140 (see FIG. 11) and first and second opposing sides 144 and 146extending from opposing ends of cover fitting 138, similar to coverfitting 12. However, unlike top 50 of cover fitting 12, top 140 isformed of one section having a convex inner surface 148 and a concaveouter surface 150. First and second sides 144 and 146 extend from innersurface 148 and are curved to match the curvature of top 140. Thisallows cover-fitting 138 to connect two raceways 10 when they convergeto a corner forming an acute angle 162 therebetween, since the curvatureof top 140 and first and second sides 144 and 146 corresponds to theacute angle 162, as best seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, such that top 140covers each raceway base 16 and first and second sides 144 and 146overlap the sidewalls 22 of each raceway base 16.

As with cover fitting 12, cover-fitting 138 has hooks that engage eachlip 24 of each raceway base 16 and a central bend 142 disposed laterallyacross top 140 that accommodates bend 44 of each raceway 10 uponassembling cover fitting 138 with raceways 10. In addition, coverfitting 138 includes first and second grooves 152 and 154 which extendlaterally across inner surface 148. First and second grooves 152 and 154are spaced from one another on either side of central bend 142 forming afirst outer channel section 156 between first side 144 and first groove152, a second outer channel section 158 between second side 146 andsecond groove 154, and a middle channel section 160 defined betweenfirst and second channel sections 156 and 158.

In non-category 5-type applications, cover fitting 138 connects twomitered raceways 10 in the same manner as described above for coverfitting 12. However, unlike cover fitting 12, the channel sections 156,158, and 160 of cover fitting 138 correspond to raceway channels 30 and32 of each raceway 10 upon mating cover fitting 138 with each raceway10. Thus the need for guide ribs as used with cover fitting 12 iseliminated. Each channel section 156, 158, and 160 hold wires 27, whichdo not require a certain bend radius.

In category 5-type applications, an internal base fitting 170 must beused with cover fitting 138 to provide the appropriate bend radius forwires 29, as discussed above with respect to cover fitting 12 and basefitting 14.

Base fitting 170 includes a bottom 172 with a concave inner surface 173that matches convex inner surface 148 of cover fitting 138 and acuteangle 162, such that base fitting 170 can be inserted between raceways10 in the same manner as described above for base fitting 14, as bestseen in FIG. 10. Similar to base fitting 14, base fitting 170 has curvedfirst, second, third, and fourth partitions 174,176, 178, and 180extending substantially perpendicularly from bottom 172 and each has acurvature that matches the curvature of bottom 172. Partitions 174, 176,178, and 180 form three channel sections which correspond to thechannels of raceway 10 and the channel sections of cover fitting 138.Specifically, a first base outer channel section 182 is formed betweenfirst partition 174 and second partition 176. A second outer basechannel section 184 is formed between third and fourth partitions 178and 180, and a third inner base channel section 186 is formed betweenfirst and second outer base channel sections 182 and 184. First andsecond base channel sections 182 and 184 correspond to first and secondouter channel sections 156 and 158 of cover fitting 138 and third innerbase channel section 186 corresponds to middle channel section 160.

Upon assembling cover fitting 138 and base fitting 170, the channelsections of cover fitting 138 and base fitting 170 form three channelswhich correspond to the raceway channels 30 and 32 keeping the wires ofeach raceway channel separate as they extend through the cover fitting138 and the base fitting 170. In addition, second and third partitions176 and 178 of base fitting 170 are received in first and second grooves152 and 154 of cover fitting 138, and first and second sides 144 and 146of cover fitting 138 overlap first and fourth partitions 174 and 180,respectively. Each partition 174, 176, 178, and 180 further includes acut out portion 192 that is shaped to accommodate convex inner surface148 of cover fitting such that each cut out portion 192 abuts innersurface 148. Also, base fitting 170 is connected to each raceway 10 inthe same manner as base fitting 14. Specifically, first and second basechannel sections 182 and 184 of base fitting 170 each include a track188 extending therethrough which corresponds to tracks 34 of first andsecond outer channels 30 of each raceway 10, respectively. In addition,a tab 190 extends from each end of each track 188 and is received intracks 34 connecting base fitting 170 to each raceway 10.

Referring to FIGS. 12-14, an external elbow or cover fitting 200,according to a third embodiment of the present invention, which likecover fitting 12 and cover fitting 138, includes a top 202 and first andsecond opposing sides 204 and 206 extending from opposing ends of coverfitting 200, as best seen in FIG. 14.

Top 202 is formed of two sections 208 with each section having a firstflat portion 210, a second ramp portion 212, and a third larger rampportion 214. A flat central portion 216 connects the two sections 208forming a substantially V-shaped top 202 wherein the inner surface 218forms the inner portion of the V and the outer surface 219 forms theouter portion of the V, as best seen in FIG. 14. First and second sides204 and 206 extend from inner surface 218 and are similarly V-shaped.This allows cover-fitting 200 to connect two raceways 10 when theyconverge to a corner forming an obtuse angle 220 therebetween, since theV-shape of top 202 matches obtuse angle 220, as best seen in FIGS. 12and 13, such that top 202 covers each raceway base 16 and first andsecond sides 204 and 206 overlap the sidewalls 22 of each raceway base16.

As with cover fittings 12 and 138, cover fitting 200 engages racewaybase 16 with hooks that connect to each lip 24 of each raceway base 16.Cover fitting 200 also includes a central bend 222 disposed laterallyacross top 202 that, like cover fittings 12 and 138, accommodates bend44 of each raceway 10 upon assembling cover fitting 200 with raceways10. In addition, cover fitting 202 includes first and second grooves 228and 230 which extend laterally across inner surface 148 and form firstand second outer channel sections 232 and 234 and a middle channelsection 236 in the same manner as first and second grooves 152 and 154of cover fitting 138. Like cover fitting 138, in non-category 5applications the channel sections 232, 234, and 236 directly correspondto the channels 30 and 32 of each raceway 10 to separate the wires 27within each respective channel.

In category 5-type applications, an external base fitting 240 must beused with cover fitting 200 to provide the appropriate bend radius. Basefitting 240 includes a bottom 242 having a convex mid portion 244 andtwo curved outer portions 246 extending from mid portion 244 forming asubstantial V-shaped bottom 242, such that the inner surface 243 formsthe outer portion of the V and the outer surface forms the inner surfaceof the V inner surface to corresponding to cover fitting 200 and obtuseangle 220. This allows base fitting 240 to be inserted between raceways10 in the same manner as described above for base fitting 170, byemploying tabs 262 that extend from tracks 264, as best seen in FIGS. 13and 14.

Similar to base fitting 170, base fitting 240 has curved first, second,third, and fourth partitions 248, 250, 252, and 254 extending from innersurface 243 of bottom 242 and each is substantially V-shaped to matchthe curvature of inner surface 243. Like the partitions of base fitting170, partitions 248, 250, 252, and 254 form first and second base outerchannel sections 256 and 258, and a third inner base channel section 260in the same manner. Also, first and second base channel sections 256 and258 correspond to first and second outer channel sections 232 and 234 ofcover fitting 200 and third inner base channel section 260 correspondsto middle channel section 236.

As with cover fitting 138 and base fitting 170, upon assembling coverfitting 200 and base fitting 240, the channel sections of each fittingform three channels that correspond to the channels 30 and 32 of eachraceway 10 for holding wires 29. In addition, second and thirdpartitions 250 and 252 are received in first and second grooves 228 and230 of cover fitting 200, and first and second sides 204 and 206 ofcover fitting 200 overlap first and fourth partitions 248 and 254,respectively. First and fourth partitions 248 and 254 further eachinclude a flat end 266 that accommodates and abuts central portion 216of cover fitting 200.

By designing cover fittings 12, 138, and 200 in the fashion describedabove, two substantially identical cover fittings can be used for twodifferent applications. For example, with first and second coverfittings that are substantially identical, the first cover fitting canbe employed on a raceway that is mitered and the second cover fittingcan be used with a base fitting on a non-mitered raceway carrying, forexample, category 5 wires. Thus, manufacturing costs are reduced byrequiring only one mold to make both the first and second cover fittingsand efficiency is increased since the same cover fitting can be used forboth applications requiring bends, such as with category 5, and withapplications not requiring bends, such as with non-category 5applications.

While particular embodiments have been chosen to illustrate theinvention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes and modifications can be made therein without departingfrom the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

1. A method of connecting raceways, comprising the steps of: joiningrespective first ends of first and second raceways at a first junctionarea so that the first ends of the first and second raceways engage eachother and form a miter joint at the first junction area, said firstjunction area having an open side; coupling a first cover fitting overthe open side of the first junction area so that a portion of the firstcover fitting is coupled to the first ends of the first an secondraceways; joining respective first ends of third and fourth raceways ata second junction area so that the first ends of the third and fourthraceways are spaced from one other and connected to a curved base memberat the second junction area, said base member and said second junctionarea having an open side; and coupling a second cover fitting over theopen side of the base member and second junction area so that a portionof the second cover fitting is coupled to the first ends of the thirdand fourth raceways, respectively.
 2. A method according to claim 1,further comprising the steps of: joining the respective first ends ofthe first and second raceways so that the first raceway is substantiallyperpendicular to said second raceway; and joining the respective firstends of the third and fourth raceways so that the third raceway issubstantially perpendicular to the fourth raceway.
 3. A method accordingto claim 1, wherein said third and fourth raceways include a racewaybase and a removable cover, said method further comprising the steps of:removing a section of the cover of each of the third and fourthraceways, respectively, and exposing corresponding sections of theraceway base of each of the third and fourth raceways, respectively,prior to coupling the second cover fitting to the second junction area,so that the exposed sections of the raceway base of the third and fourthraceways, respectively, engage portions of the second cover fitting. 4.A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:completely covering the curved base between the first ends of the thirdand fourth raceways with the second cover fitting.
 5. A method accordingto claim 1, further comprising the steps of: coupling the curved basewith a portion of the second cover fitting.
 6. A method according toclaim 5, further comprising the steps of: coupling the curved base withthe respective first ends of the third and fourth raceways.
 7. A methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: mounting thefirst and second raceways to a first support surface; mounting the thirdand fourth raceways to a second support surface; and mounting the curvedbase to the second support surface between the respective first ends ofthe third and fourth raceways.
 8. A method according to claim 7, furthercomprising the step of: placing a first set of wires in each of thefirst and second raceways, respectively.
 9. A method according to claim8, further comprising the step of: placing a second set of wires in eachof the third and fourth raceways, respectively, wherein said second setof wires has a maximum bend radius and said curved base defines a radiusthat is equal to or greater than the maximum bend radius of the secondset of wires.
 10. A method according to claim 1, wherein said first andsecond cover fittings are substantially identical.
 11. A methodaccording to claim 1, wherein said second and third raceways form acontinuous raceway.
 12. A method according to claim 1, furthercomprising the step of snap fitting said first cover fitting onto saidfirst ends of said first and second raceways; and snap fitting saidsecond cover fitting onto said first ends of said third and fourthraceways.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein said second raceway iscoupled to said third raceway to form a continuous raceway.
 14. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the first and second raceways each have abottom wall, and where said method comprises joining the first end ofthe first raceway to the first end of the second raceway where saidbottom wall of the first raceway lies in a first plane and the bottomwall of the second raceway lies in a second plane that is different fromthe first plan.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the first plane issubstantially perpendicular to the second plane.
 16. The method of claim1, wherein the third and fourth raceways each have a bottom wall, andwherein said method comprises joining the third and fourth raceways tothe curved base.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the bottom wall ofthe third raceway is substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall ofthe fourth raceway.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the bottom wallof the third raceway lies in the same plane as the bottom wall of thefourth raceway.
 19. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and secondraceways each have a bottom wall, and wherein said method comprisesjoining the first and second raceways together where the respectivebottom walls lie in substantially the same plane.
 20. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the first cover fitting is substantially identical tothe second cover fitting, and where the first cover fitting and thesecond cover fitting each have opposite side walls and coupling members,and wherein the coupling members of the first cover fitting are coupledto respective side walls of the first and second raceways and thecoupling members of the second cover fitting are coupled to respectiveside walls of the third and fourth raceways.